Foldable garment rack

ABSTRACT

A completely foldable garment rack construction which is easily and quickly set up, and easily folded, without removal of hang rails, and without separate mechanical fasteners. Eccentric cam hinge assemblies connect the frame members for movement between a butting, set-up and locked condition, and a spaced foldable condition. A hang rail is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement on the rack with respect to a frame member, from the foldable condition into a folded condition. Legs of frame members telescopically receive leg extenders, each defining longitudinally spaced notches and notch cam tongues for camming a spring assembly outwardly when the leg extender is pulled downwardly to lengthen the leg. The spring assembly includes an integral supporting tab for supporting the spring assembly from a stretcher adjacent the leg, and provides a catch button passing through the leg and into a notch to support the leg extender against upward telescopic movement.

United States Patent. 1191 Marker, Jr. Mar. 27, 1973 I541 FOLDABLEGARMENT RACK FOREIGN PATENTS R APPLICATIONS l Inventorr Edwin Marker, Jg 618,022 4/1961 Canada ..168/115 Assigneez Garey Corporation 628,0808/1949 great BrItaIn ..108/115 [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 PrimaryExaminer-Ramon S Britts PP NOI: 6, AttorneyDressler, Goldsmith, Clement& Gordon [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..211/178 R, 108/115, 248/188.5, ACompletely fomable garment rack Construction 248/436 which is easily andquickly set up, and easily folded,

Int. Clt without removal of hang rails and without separate [58] FieldoiSearch....211/178 R, 177,149, 132, 85,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson ..248/436 X Wurz ...108/lX Shields 248/1885 X Scholz ...182/1179 X Barnes ..211/177 Ruhnke....211/178 R Hansen ....l08/l 15 X Steinmetz ..211/177 Triplett....l08/115 X Lay I ..108/ Berman ..211/177 mechanical fasteners.Eccentric cam hinge assemblies connect the frame members for movementbetween a butting, set-up and locked condition, and a spaced foldablecondition. A hang rail is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement on therack with respect to a frame member, from the foldable condition into afolded condition Legs of frame members telescopically receive legextenders, each defining longitudinally spaced notches and notch camtongues for camming a spring assembly outwardly when the leg extender ispulled downwardly to lengthen the leg. The spring assembly includes anintegral supporting tab for supporting the spring assembly from astretcher adjacent the leg, and provides a catch button passing throughthe leg and into a notch to support the leg extender against upwardtelescopic movement.

18 Claims, 36 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARZT I973 SHEET 10F 6 INVENTOE.ar/qer J}:

PATENTEUHARZYISB SHEET 2 [IF 6 23 i8 M Q W m y M5 F 5: N \i W FIG; 5 3??LEE:

flx Z I I I PATENTEDHARZYIQTES SHEET 3 OF 6 FIG. 12 firs, .73 FIG. 14

PATENTEDIIARZ 71373 SHEET H []F 6 PATENTEDHARZTIHYS 3,722,702

SHEET 5 [IF 6 x w w I z I PATENTEDHARZTIQYS SHEET 8 [IF 6 FOLDABLEGARMENT RACK This invention relates to garment racks, and particularlyto those having hang rails. The improved garment racks of this inventionare completely foldable. Unlike prior art constructions, they do notrequire removal of the hang rails prior to folding and do not requireseparate mechanical fasteners. They do, however, provide a garment rackconstruction which is rigid and strong and which is easily set up andeasily folded. It can be shipped completely assembled and withoutseparate parts requiring assembly at the point of ultimate use.

Efforts have been made in the past to design collapsible and foldablegarment racks and to design them in some cases without the need forseparate mechanical fasteners to hold them or parts of them together.Exemplary of typical prior art garment rack assemblies are thoseillustrated in United States Pat. Nos. 2,852,145; 3,063,571; 3,312,355;and 2,985,316. In the last named patent the garment rack is foldable,except that the hang rails must be removed prior to folding. It is witha construction avoiding the necessity of removing the hang rails, whileproviding a rigid, strong interlocked set-up assembly without the needfor mechanical fasteners or the like, that this invention is concemed.

In accordance with this invention vertically disposed expansive framemembers forming a garment rack assembly are hingedly secured to eachother at vertically spaced points, and a hang rail is hingedly andpivotally secured to the garment rack assembly. The vertically spacedhinge assemblies securing the frame members to each other areproportioned to draw one frame member into firm butting engagement withthe other in a first set-up locked position, and to move the one framemember out of contact with the other to a second spaced position wherethe frame members may pivot about the hinge assemblies so that they mayfold into a generally parallel relationship. The hang rail is so securedthat it is pivotally movable into close adjacency with a frame memberwithout separation or removal from the garment rack.

When the garment rack is generally rectangular, a pair of parallel endframe members are positioned at the ends of a center frame member, thecenter frame member being movable into firm butting engagement with eachof the end frame members, and away from those to a spaced position inwhich the frame members will pivot about the hinge assemblies. The hangrails lie parallel to the center frame member and are slidably andpivotally secured to the end frame members for conjoint relativemovement with respect to the end frame members as they move between thefirst and second positions. When in the first position, they preferablyfirmly butt against the end frame members to further rigidify the rackassembly.

When the garment rack embodies a circular hang rail, it is pivotallysecured to the rack assembly at at least three, and preferably at fourpoints. When the rack is to be folded, the hang rail is disengaged fromall but two pivotal points of securance, at which time it is swingableinto a plane which is substantially parallel with the planes of thefolded frame members.

As such, the garment racks of this invention provide interconnectedframe members, and hang rails which are permanently pivotally mounted onthe rack. As such, the rack may be set up quickly, without tools andwithout the need for the connection of parts. Similarly, the garmentrack may be folded into a compact condition without tools, and withoutthe removal of parts, such as the hang rails.

The garment rack of this invention also desirably includes improved legextender assemblies to adjust the height of the garment rack. Each legextender assembly comprises a leg extender telescopically received in atubular leg of the rack and defining a plurality of adjustment notches.An easily replaceable spring provides a catch button passing through theleg and into an adjustment notch. To lengthen the leg, the leg extenderis pulled downwardly, a notch tongue cams the catch button outwardly andthe spring then projects the button into the next notch when it isreached. The spring is easily replaceable, and the extender assemblyeliminates the need for a plurality of apertures in the leg itself,simplifying construction and improving the appearance of the rack. Mostnotably it speeds and simplifies the lengthening of the legs of agarment rack.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rectangular foldable garment rack ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable garment rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a'plan view of the garment rack of FIG. 1, showing, inphantom, the garment rack in a partially folded condition;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the garment rack of FIG. 1 in a completelyfolded condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along each ofthe lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view, taken substantially along the line 66 ofFIG.'5, showing the hinge lever in several positions of movement;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the frame members of the garmentrack in an open position ready for folding;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view, like FIG. 8, but with the frame members foldedas in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a view ofa hinge lever of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially along theline l2l2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but with the hinge levers in theposition of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view taken substantially along the line 15-15 ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 15 viewed substantially fromthe line 16-16 of FIG. 14, illustrating folded positions of a hang railand end frame;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a leg extenderassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a view of the leg extender assembly taken substantially alongthe line 18-18 of FIG. 17',

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a leg extender spring ofFIGS. 17 and18;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a circular foldable garment rack of thisinvention showing, in phantom, frame members in a partially foldedcondition;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the garment rack of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the garment rack of FIG. 20 in acompletely folded condition, illustrating, in phantom, unfolded andpartially folded positions of parts thereof;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken substantially alongthe line 2323 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line2424 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a plan view similar to FIG. 23 with the hinge levers moved topositions in which the frame members are foldable, illustrating, inphantom, partially folded positions of the frame members;

FIG. 26 is a plan view similar to FIG. 24, in which the frame membershave been moved to a fully folded position illustrating, in phantom,optional fully folded positions;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line2727 of FIG. 25',

FIG. 28 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view taken substantially alongthe line 28-28 of FIG. 21, illustrating, in phantom, a position ofmovement of the hinge lever;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view, partially in section, taken substantiallyalong the line 30-30 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view taken substantially along the line3131 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged plan view of the folded garment rack of FIG. 20,partially broken away, showing the hang rail in an unfolded positionand, in phantom, in a folded position;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33-33 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 3434 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a side elevational view of the garment rack as viewed fromthe left of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 36 is as bottom sectional view taken. substantially along the line36'36 of FIG. 31.

Referring now to the rectangular floor supported garment rack assemblywhich is illustrated in its setup condition in FIG. 1, it is seen tocomprise a pair of spaced apart, expansive, parallel, verticallydisposed end frame members 12 and an expansive vertically disposedcenter frame member 14, each suitably fabricated .from square orrectangular tubular stock. Each of the end frame members 12 comprises apair of uprights 16, a horizontal top stretcher 18, and a horizontalbottom stretcher 18, all suitably interconnected in a common plane, asby welding. The center frame member 14 comprises a horizontal topstretcher 22, a horizontal bottom stretcher 22 and a pair of diagonalbraces 26, all suitably interconnected in a common plane, as by welding.

The center frame member 14 is hingedly secured to each end frame member12 by a pair of vertically spaced hinge assemblies 30. In the embodimentof FIG. 1, there are four such assemblies, one at each end of each ofthe top and bottom stretchers 22.

The garment rack assembly 10 also provides a spaced pair of hang rails32 parallel to the center frame member, and on opposite sides of it,each hingedly and pivotally secured at each end to an end frame member12, by pivotal mounting means such as hinge and pivot assembly 34 (seeFIG. 12). The hang rails 32 may have a cross-sectional configurationlike the rods illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,269,553. End frame members12 also mount suitable'leg extenders 36 to adjust the effective heightof the end fame members and, therefore, the effective elevation at whichthe hang rails 32 are disposed.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 11, inclusive, the hinge assembly 30comprises a locking plate 40, a hinge lever 42, a hinge pin 44 foroscillatably mounting said lever, and a retaining ring 46.

Hinge lever 42 is generally L-shaped and comprises a handle section 50,an outwardly shaped stop segment 52 and a partially punched circular camsegment 54. A pin aperture 56 passes through cam segment 54. The outerdiameter of cam segment 54 is proportioned to mate in aperture 58 inlocking plate 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). Hinge pin 44, which may be arivet,is proportioned to pass through pin aperture 56, through a complementaryopening 60 in horizontal stretcher 22, and is secured in the position ofFIGS. 5 and 7 by a retaining ring 46, such as a resilient E-ring, or bystaking. As such, lever 42 is oscillatably connected to frame member 14,and lever 42 and locking plate 40 define cooperating eccentric cam meansfor moving the frame members toward and away from each other.

' Because each locking plate 40 is fixedly connected, as by welding, tohorizontal stretcher 18 of the end frame member 12, the hinge assemblies30 just described will movably and hingedly and pivotally secure thecenter frame member 14 to each end'frame member 12. It should beunderstood that there is a hinge assembly 30 at each end of the topstretcher 22, and one at each end of the bottom stretcher 22, the hingeassemblies 30 being substantially identical in construction andoperation.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the hinge lever 42 of hinge assembly 30 is in aposition where the garment rack is set up and locked in its opencondition of use. In that position, cam segment 54 has positioned thehinge pin 44 as close to the horizontal stretchers 18 of members 12 asthey will go. Because hinge pins 44 are seated in openings 60 ofhorizontal stretchers 22, they draw stretchers 22 into firm, tightbuttingengagement with stretchers 18 of the end frame members 12, as isillustrated in FIG. 5. Each hinge assembly 30, and particularly the camsegment 54 and locking plate aperture 58 thereof, is so proportioned andpositioned, that as the handle 50 reaches a dotted line position B ofFIG. 6, a square end 62 of a stretcher 22 contacts the side walls 64 ofa stretcher 18 so that further movement of the hinge lever 42 into thefull line position A of FIG. 6 tightly biases the contacting stretchers,hence the frame members into engagement to form a strong rigid rackassembly. I

To condition the garment rack frame members for folding, each handle 50of hinge levers 42 is gripped and is moved from the solid line positionof FIG. 6, to the position B, thence to the position C, and finally tothe position D of FIG. 8. As such the hinge pins 44 are moved to theiroutermost positions, the positions most remote from the stretchers 18.In that remote position, there is sufficient clearance between the ends62 of stretchers 22 and the sides 64 of stretchers 18 so that the endframe members 12 may be folded from the position of FIG. 8 to theposition of FIG. 9, i.e., from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4.

It will be understood that the hinge levers 42 of all four of theeccentric cam hinge assemblies are moved as just described prior to thefolding illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to space the corresponding ends 62of the center frame member stretchers away from and out of contact withthe corresponding sides 64 of the end frame member stretchers. It willbe noted that the hinge pins 44 are generally located centrally of thestretcher 22. Accordingly when in the position of FIG. 8, the framemembers 12, 14 may be folded in either direction about the hingeassemblies 30 with respect to each other and into a closely adjacent,substantially parallel relationship.

When the end frame members 12 are moved with respect to the center framemember 14, the hang rails must also move. To that end, hang rails 32 aremounted to be moved on hinge and pivot assemblies 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 16, the elongate,

straight hang rails 32 and end frames 12 cooperate to provide thepivotal mounting assemblies 34. Hinge and pivot assemblies 34 eachcomprise a pivot plate and an end cap 72. End cap 72 comprises a seatportion 74 which is frictionally seated at the end of the hang rail 32,an end segment 76 which serves to close the end of the hang rail and adepending foot 78. Foot 78 has a pin portion 79 which projectsdownwardly through a teardrop shaped opening 80 in pivot plate 70, andfurther comprises a tear-drop shaped lock segment 81 which serves toprevent withdrawal of the end cap 72 from the pivot plate 70.

Pivot plate 70 is suitably secured as by welding to the uprights 16. Endcaps 72 are initially assembled with the pivot plates 70 by fitting thelock segments 81 through the tear-drop shaped openings 80 after whichthey are turned 180 and fitted within the ends of the hang rails 32. Inthat manner, the hang rails are effectively locked into position on thepivot plates 70 for sliding movement of the pin portions 79 lengthwiseof the openings 80, and for pivotal movement within openings 80.

When the frame members are in the position of FIG. 5, the hang rails arefirmly seated in the position illustrated in FIG. 12. When the hingelevers 42 are moved from the position A of FIG. 6 to the position D ofFIG. 8, the hang rails are gradually spaced away from the uprights 16from the set-up position of FIG. 12 to the foldable condition of FIG.14. In that position and condition, the hang rails are free to pivotwith respect to the end frame members 12 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 16, and therefore to move from the set-up condition of FIG. 3 tothe folded condition of FIG. 4, all without separation of the hang railsfrom the garment rack assembly 10.

Desirably, a garment rack assembly 10 is adapted to be shipped in thecondition illustrated in FIG. 4, and is further adapted to be stored inthat condition. Assuming that a garment rack 10 has been shipped in thatcondition, and is to be conditioned to assume the set-up positionillustrated in FIG. 1, it is first unfolded to the position illustratedin FIG. 3, i.e., a position in which the expansive center frame memberis perpendicular to the end frame members. Then, the center frame memberis moved toward the end frame members 12 by moving the four hinge levers42 from position D of FIG. 8 through positions C and B of FIG. 6, andfinally into the position A of FIG. 6. In approximately the position B,and ends 62 engages sides 64 and end segments 76 engage end frame 12.Further movement of levers 42 then tends to bind the ends 62 andsegments 76 against the end frames, thereby to rigidify and strengthenthe garment rack assembly 10. When position A is finally reached, stopsegment 52 contacts the side edge of locking plates 40 to stop furthermovement. In that position the frame members are locked to each other.

Also in accordance with this invention, means are provided for adjustingthe height of the end frame assemblies. Referring now to FIGS. 17 to 19,each of the leg extenders 36 is formed of tubular stock which isgenerally square in cross-section. Extenders 36 are telescopicallyreceived in uprights 16.

Bottom stretchers 18 are connected, as by welding,

to uprights l6. Adjacent the side 82 of stretcher 22, where it confrontsthe side edge of upright 16, a generally rectangular notch 84 isprovided. Notch 84 is adapted to receive a removable leg extender spring86 which comprises a bowed central section 88, a retainer tab 90, afinger grip 92, and a catch button 94.

Leg extender spring 86 is adapted to be positioned by sliding itupwardly through notch 84 into the position illustrated in FIGS. 17 and18. Yieldable retainer tab 90 is proportioned to rest against the innerlower surface of lower stretcher 22, thereby to prevent removal of thespring and for suspending the spring assembly from the stretcher. Whenthe spring 86 is so positioned, the catch button 94 passes through acomplementary button aperture 96 in upright 16, and into engagement withan adjustment notch 98 in leg extender 36. Adjustment notch 98 is formedby shear forming the tubular leg extender 36 to push in a downwardly andinwardly extending camming tongue 100 and to form a support edge 102.The catch button 94 rests against support edge 102, thereby to preventfurther inward telescopic movement of the leg extender 36 with respectto upright leg 16.

When the legs of the garment rack assembly 10 are to be lengthened,extenders 36 are gripped and pulled out, the tongues 100 camming thecatch button 94 outwardly until the next adjustment notch 98 is reachedat which time the catch button snaps into place, and is ready tosupportingly engage support edge 102 of the next notch 98. If the lengthof the legs is to be decreased, the finger grip 92 is pulled outwardlyto the dotted line position of FIG. 17, and the leg extender 36 is thenpushed telescopically inwardly of upright 16.

In the event that leg extender spring 86 is destroyed I or broken it iseasily replaceable. Centrally of the notch 84 there is a small furtheraccess opening 104 through which the blade of a small screwdriver or thelike may be inserted. When so inserted, the blade may be urged againstretainer tab 90 to force tab 90 toward the plane of central secton 88.At that time the spring 96 may be withdrawn downwardly from notch 84.

The leg extender and leg extender spring assembly described provides asimple, but effective and efficient means for quickly adjusting theheight of a garment rack assembly 10. Notably, it eliminates thenecessity for a plurality of apertures in the legs oruprights, speedsextension of the extenders and provides quick replacement of the springassembly, if such becomes necessary.

A circular foldable garment rack assembly 200 in accordance with thisinvention is illustrated in FIGS. to 35. Referring first to FIGS. 20 to22, circular garment rack assembly 200 comprises a center frame member210 and two short frame members 212, each suitably fabricated, asgenerally from square tubular stock. These extend in opposite directionsfrom center frame member 210. Each of the short frame members 212comprises a horizontal top stretcher 214, a horizontal bottom stretcher216, and an interconnected diagonal leg member 218, all disposed in acommon plane. The center frame member 210 comprises a top stretcher 220,a bottom stretcher 222 and a pair of diagonal legs 224, all suitablyinterconnected in a common plane, as by welding.

The center frame member 210 is hingedly secured to each short framemember 212 by a pair of vertically spaced hinge assemblies 230. In theembodiment of FIG. 20 there are four such hinge assemblies 230, one ateach end of each of the top and bottom stretchers 214, 216 of the shortframe members 212.

The circular garment rack assembly 200 also comprises a circular hangrail 232 which is connected at at least three points, and preferably atthe four points illustrated, by pivotal mounting means such as rail postassemblies 234, all of which may be identical. At least the rail postassemblies 234 associated with center frame member 210 provide hingepivot connections for the hang rail 232, to enable it to fold withrespect to frame members 210 and 212.

Frame members 210 and 212 also mount suitable leg extenders 36 to adjustthe effective height of the circular rack assembly. Leg extenders 36 areconstructed and operate as described in connection with the embodimentof FIG. 1.

Hinge assemblies 230 are substantially identical to hinge assemblies 30,and they function and are operated in substantially the same manner.Accordingly the same part numbers will be used. Each hinge assembly 230comprises a locking plate 40', a hinge lever 42, a hinge pin 44 and aretaining ring 46. Locking plate 40' differs from the locking plate 40only in that a single plate 40 which is connected to horizontalstretcher 222 (and 220) defines a pair of spaced apertures 58, eachadapted to cooperate with a hinge lever 42.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, hinge levers 42 of hinge assemblies 230, are shownin positions where the garment rack 200 is set up and is locked in itsopen utilitarian condition. In that position, circular cam segments 54have positioned the hinge pins 44 as close to the center frame memberhorizontal stretcher 222 (and 220) as they will go. Because hinge pins44 are seated in openings 260 of horizontal stretchers 214, 216, theydraw the ends 262 of stretchers 214, 216 into firm, tight, buttingengagement with sides 264 of stretchers 222 (and 220) of the centerframe member 210.

When the hinge levers 42 are moved from the closed locking position ofFIGS. 23, 24, and 28, from the locked position to the full open positionillustrated in FIG. 25, the hinge pins 44 are moved outwardly to theirmost remote position from the stretchers 222(and 220). In thosepositions, there is sufficient clearance between the ends 262 of thestretchers 216 (and 214) and the sides 264 of stretchers 222 (and 220),so that the short frame members may be folded in either direction abouthinge pins 44 until they assume a generally parallel relationship tocenter frame member 210 (as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27). It will beunderstood that the pairs of hinge levers 42 for each of the short framemembers 212 are moved in the manner just described prior to the folding,to space the corresponding ends 262 of the short frame member stretchers214, 216 from the corresponding sides 264 of the center frame memberstretchers.

Referring now to FIGS. 30 to 34, it is seen that the circular hang rail232 is pivotally and hingedly mounted on rail post assemblies 234. Eachrail post as sembly comprises an L-shaped rail post pin 280 which isrotatably journaled in a bearing block 282 and which is retained in thatrelationship by a retaining ring 284. The end of the cylindrical openingin bearing block 282 is reduced in size and a pin portion 286 of railpost pin 280 passes therethrough. It is the pin portion 286 which isencircled by the retaining ring 284 thereby to fix the rail post pin 280against withdrawal from the bearing block 282. As best seen in FIGS. 33and 34, bearing block 282 frictionally fits within the outermost ends290 of the horizontal upper stretchers 214 and 220. The circularconfiguration of the rail post pin 280 where it is journaled withinbearing block 282 (see FIG. 33) permits the rail post to pivot withrespect to the bearing block 282 so that the hang rail 232 may move fromthe position illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 to the position illustratedin FIGS. 22 and 35, i.e., from the full line to the dotted line positionof FIG. 32.

The free ends 292 of the rail post pins 280 are proportioned to beseated within suitable complimentary openings in the lower surface ofthe tubular hang rail 232. When the hang rail is to be moved from theset-up position of FIG. 21 to the folded position and condition of FIG.22, it is necessary to retract the ends 292 ofthe rail posts 280associated with the ends 290 of upper stretchers 214, those of the shortframe members 212. This may be accomplishedsimply by first lifting thehang rail 232 upwardly with respect to one of the ends 292 to free thatrail post pin, and thereafter with respect to the opposed free end 292to free that rail post pin. The hang rail is then conditioned to permitoscillatory or pivotal movement on the remaining two rail post pins 280.As soon as the short frame members are conditioned for folding and aremoved to the position of FIG. 32, the hang rail 232 will be readily andeasily moved from the horizontal set-up position illustrated in FIG. 21,to the vertical folded position illustrated in FIG. 22.

When a circular foldable garment rack assembly 200 is to be set from thefully folded position of FIGS. 22 and 35, the hang rail 232 is rotatedto the horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 21. Next, the short framemembers 212 are rotated outwardly into the positions illustrated in FIG.20, i.e., the cross configuration. Next the levers 42 are turned to movethe short frame members 212 from the spaced position of FIG. 25, to thefirm, tight butting position of FIGS. 23 and 24. Then the rail post pins280 at the ends of the top stretchers 214 are rotated into a verticalposition, and the free ends 292 are fit into the openings 294 in thehang rail 232. These are fixed in position by driving the free ends 292home to the position of FIGS. 30 and 31. The interparts and the hangrail to spring them slightly with respect to each other so that thenecessary disengagement may take place.

Each of the foldable garment racks described embodies a plurality offrame members which are interconnected by hinge assemblies for drawingthem into firm butting engagement and for spacing them so that they maybe folded. In each, hang rails are permanently pivotally mounted forfolding with the frame members, and without separating the hang railsfrom the rack when the frame members are folded. The garment racks arequickly and easily set up, and without concern for separate or lostparts. Similarly, they are quickly and easily folded for storage orshipping, also without concern for separate or lost parts.

It is intended that this invention shall not be limited to the specificembodiments illustrated and described since the foregoing descriptionand drawings will suggest to those skilled in the art furthermodifications which are within the spirit and purview of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable garment-rack assembly comprising a first verticallydisposed frame member, a second vertically disposed frame member,vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first andsecond frame members to each other, and each including means for drawingsaid second frame member from a second spaced position to a firstposition in firm butting engagement with said first frame member inwhich said frame members may not be folded with respect to each otherand for moving said second frame member from said first position to asecond position spaced from and out of contact with said first framemember whereat said'frame members may be folded into a closely adjacent,substantially parallel relationship about said hinge assemblies, and ahang rail, pivotal mounting means securing said hang rail to said rackassembly, said hang rail being movable on said mounting means to agarment supporting condition in said first position and to closelyadjacent said frame members in said second position without separationfrom said rack assembly.

2. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid moving and drawing means comprises a lever oscillatably connectedto one of said frame members.

3. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid hinge assemblies each further comprise a locking plate secured tothe other frame member, and said lever and said locking plate definecooperating eccentric cam means for moving said frame members betweensaid first and second positions.

4. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid lever provides a cam segment and said locking plate defines anaperture for receiving said cam segment.

- 5. A foldable garmentrack assembly in accordance with claim 1 furthercomprising a third vertically disposed frame member, further verticallyaligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and third framemembers to each other, and each hinge assembly including means fordrawing said third frame member to a first position in firm buttingengagement with said first frame member and for moving said third framemember to a second position out of contact with said first frame memberwhereat said first and third members may be folded into a closelyadjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said further hingeassemblies.

6. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 whereinsaid hang rail is elongate and straight.

7. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 6 whereinsaid second frame member is parallel to and spaced from said third framemember and said second andthird frame members are at opposite ends ofsaid first frame member in said first position, said pivotal mountingmeans mounting said hang rail on said second and third frame members,said pivotal mounting means mounting said hang rail for movementconjoint with the movement'of said first frame member with respect tosaid second and third frame members between said first and secondpositions. v

8. A foldable garmenf rack assembly in accordance with claim 7 whereinsaid pivotal mounting means comprises pivot plates secured to saidsecond and third frame members and an end cap mounted at each end ofsaid hang rail, each said end cap and pivot plate providing acooperating lock pin and an aperture for relative sliding andtpivotalmovement of said hang rail with respect to said second and third framemembers.

9. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid hang rail is circular and is secured by said pivotal mounting meansto said garment rack assembly at at least three spaced points 10. Afoldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidsecond and third frame members extend in opposite directions from saidfirst frame member when in said first position.

11. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 10 whereinsaid hang rail is circular, is connected to said first frame member bytwo spaced pivotal mounting means and is releasably connected to each ofsaid second and third frame members.

12. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance withclaim 11 whereinsaid pivotal mounting means comprises a pair of post pins each journaledin a bearing block at opposite ends of said second frame member.

13. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a pair of spaced apartend frames, a center frame, said center frame confronting said endframes, and being hingedly secured to each, means for hingedly securingeach said end frame to said center frame and for moving said end framesaway from and toward said center frame, each said securing meanscomprising a locking plate anda hinge lever'oscillatably mounted on oneof said frames, said levers being movable to first positions in whichthey draw said end frames into firm butting engagement with said centerframe and to second positions in which the end frames are forced awayfrom said center frame, and in which said frames may fold with respectto each other, spaced apart parallel hang rails on opposite sides ofsaid center frame, hang rail mounting means mounting each said hangrails on each of said end frames for conjoint movement with said centerframe as it moves between said first and second positions.

14. A foldable garment rack in accordance with claim 13 wherein saidhinge lever and said locking plate define cooperating eccentric cammeans for moving said end frames toward and away from said center frame.

15. A foldable garment rack in accordance with claim 14 wherein saidhang rail mounting means comprises pivot plates connected to said endframes and end caps mounted on said hang rail ends, each said end capand pivot plate providing a cooperating lock pin and aperture forrelative sliding and pivotal movement of said hang rails with respect tosaid end frames.

16. A garment rack assembly comprising a frame and hang rail assembly,said frame defining a hollow tubular upright leg and aninterconnected'generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extendertelescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining aplurality of adjustment notches each comprising a camming tonguedepending from the top of the notch and extending inwardly of the legextender, a removable spring assembly confronting said leg and suspendedfrom said stretcher and providing a catch button, said catch bottomprojecting through said leg and into a said notch for supporting saidleg extender against movement upwardly of said leg, said tongues beingpositioned to cam said catch button outwardly when said leg extender ismoved downwardly.

17. A garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 16 in which saidleg and stretcher define an opening for receiving an upper end of saidspring assembly, said spring assembly defines a yieldable retainer tabfor suspendingl said spring assembly from said stretcher, and saidopening provides access to said yieldable retainer tab.

18. A floor supported garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1wherein first frame member comprises a hollow tubular upright leg and aninterconnected generally horizontal stretcher, a leg extendertelescopically positioned in said leg, said leg extender defining aplurality of notches each comprising a camming tongue depending from thetop of the notch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removablespring assembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcherand providing a catch button, said catch button projecting through saidleg and into a said notch for su orting said leg extender againstmovement upwar y of said leg, said tongues being POSI- tioned to camsaid catch button outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.I l

1. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a first verticallydisposed frame member, a second vertically disposed frame member,vertically aligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first andsecond frame members to each other, and each including means for drawingsaid second frame member from a second spaced position to a firstposition in firm butting engagement with said first frame member inwhich said frame members may not be folded with respect to each otherand for moving said second frame member from said first position to asecond position spaced from and out of contact with said first framemember whereat said frame members may be folded into a closely adjacent,substantially parallel relationship about said hinge assemblies, and ahang rail, pivotal mounting means securing said hang rail to said rackassembly, said hang rail being movable on said mounting means to agarment supporting condition in said first position and to closelyadjacent said frame members in said second position without separationfrom said rack assembly.
 2. A foldable garment rack assembly inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said moving and drawing means comprisesa lever oscillatably connected to one of said frame members.
 3. Afoldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidhinge assemblies each further comprise a locking plate secured to theother frame member, and said lever and said locking plate definecooperating eccentric cam means for moving said frame members betweensaid first and second positions.
 4. A foldable garment rack assembly inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said lever provides a Cam segment andsaid locking plate defines an aperture for receiving said cam segment.5. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 furthercomprising a third vertically disposed frame member, further verticallyaligned spaced hinge assemblies securing said first and third framemembers to each other, and each hinge assembly including means fordrawing said third frame member to a first position in firm buttingengagement with said first frame member and for moving said third framemember to a second position out of contact with said first frame memberwhereat said first and third members may be folded into a closelyadjacent, substantially parallel relationship about said further hingeassemblies.
 6. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim5 wherein said hang rail is elongate and straight.
 7. A foldable garmentrack assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second framemember is parallel to and spaced from said third frame member and saidsecond and third frame members are at opposite ends of said first framemember in said first position, said pivotal mounting means mounting saidhang rail on said second and third frame members, said pivotal mountingmeans mounting said hang rail for movement conjoint with the movement ofsaid first frame member with respect to said second and third framemembers between said first and second positions.
 8. A foldable garmentrack assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pivotal mountingmeans comprises pivot plates secured to said second and third framemembers and an end cap mounted at each end of said hang rail, each saidend cap and pivot plate providing a cooperating lock pin and an aperturefor relative sliding and pivotal movement of said hang rail with respectto said second and third frame members.
 9. A foldable garment rackassembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hang rail is circularand is secured by said pivotal mounting means to said garment rackassembly at at least three spaced points
 10. A foldable garment rackassembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second and third framemembers extend in opposite directions from said first frame member whenin said first position.
 11. A foldable garment rack assembly inaccordance with claim 10 wherein said hang rail is circular, isconnected to said first frame member by two spaced pivotal mountingmeans and is releasably connected to each of said second and third framemembers.
 12. A foldable garment rack assembly in accordance with claim11 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises a pair of post pinseach journaled in a bearing block at opposite ends of said second framemember.
 13. A foldable garment rack assembly comprising a pair of spacedapart end frames, a center frame, said center frame confronting said endframes, and being hingedly secured to each, means for hingedly securingeach said end frame to said center frame and for moving said end framesaway from and toward said center frame, each said securing meanscomprising a locking plate and a hinge lever oscillatably mounted on oneof said frames, said levers being movable to first positions in whichthey draw said end frames into firm butting engagement with said centerframe and to second positions in which the end frames are forced awayfrom said center frame, and in which said frames may fold with respectto each other, spaced apart parallel hang rails on opposite sides ofsaid center frame, hang rail mounting means mounting each said hangrails on each of said end frames for conjoint movement with said centerframe as it moves between said first and second positions.
 14. Afoldable garment rack in accordance with claim 13 wherein said hingelever and said locking plate define cooperating eccentric cam means formoving said end frames toward and away from said center frame.
 15. Afoldable garment rack in accordance with claim 14 wherein said hang railmounting means comprises pivot plates connected to said end frameS andend caps mounted on said hang rail ends, each said end cap and pivotplate providing a cooperating lock pin and aperture for relative slidingand pivotal movement of said hang rails with respect to said end frames.16. A garment rack assembly comprising a frame and hang rail assembly,said frame defining a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnectedgenerally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positionedin said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of adjustmentnotches each comprising a camming tongue depending from the top of thenotch and extending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable springassembly confronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher andproviding a catch button, said catch bottom projecting through said legand into a said notch for supporting said leg extender against movementupwardly of said leg, said tongues being positioned to cam said catchbutton outwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.
 17. Agarment rack assembly in accordance with claim 16 in which said leg andstretcher define an opening for receiving an upper end of said springassembly, said spring assembly defines a yieldable retainer tab forsuspending said spring assembly from said stretcher, and said openingprovides access to said yieldable retainer tab.
 18. A floor supportedgarment rack assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein first framemember comprises a hollow tubular upright leg and an interconnectedgenerally horizontal stretcher, a leg extender telescopically positionedin said leg, said leg extender defining a plurality of notches eachcomprising a camming tongue depending from the top of the notch andextending inwardly of the leg extender, a removable spring assemblyconfronting said leg and suspended from said stretcher and providing acatch button, said catch button projecting through said leg and into asaid notch for supporting said leg extender against movement upwardly ofsaid leg, said tongues being positioned to cam said catch buttonoutwardly when said leg extender is moved downwardly.